Personal Letter: Setting the Tone

Wrap-up

Tone—the way you say things, whether when speaking or writing—can make or break a delicate situation. By paying attention to the tone of his letter to his father, Sean got the family watch he wanted for his wedding—and a new start with dad.

In this lesson you:

• Decided what to include in a letter and what to leave out
• Practiced setting the right tone in a letter
• Chose words with apostrophes in the right places
• Practiced setting the right tone in a letter to a friend

On your own:

• Practice writing an important letter to your boss, a friend, or family member. Remember, it’s not only what you say—it’s also your tone—that is, how you say it.
• The next time you read an article or story, pay attention to the tone. What words are used to set the tone? Could the tone be changed?
• During your daily routine, look at store signs and advertisements for apostrophes that are used correctly and incorrectly.